East Bay family honors 22-year-old Raymond Orozco, who was fatally stabbed in San Jose while trying to stop fight; no arrests made
An East Bay family is hoping for an arrest in the fatal stabbing of their 22-year-old son.
Last weekend, Raymond Orozco was killed while trying to stop a fight between his female friend and another woman.
On Saturday, family and friends held a vigil at Lake Merritt to remember his life.
Just after 7 p.m., Orozco's family launched balloons signed with personal messages over Lake Merritt in Oakland. It was a chance for his mother to say goodbye to her only son.
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"The balloons -- we don't know where they are going. We are just letting them go, releasing them. I believe Raymond will get one of those balloons," said Daniela Ruiz, Orozco's mother.
Last weekend, Orozco's was out with friends late night in San Jose. A female friend was allegedly attacked by another woman. Orozco tried to break up the fight when he was stabbed to death.
"I'm grateful that he was never tainted. You know, he never carried any bad with him. He carried the good. Because my little brother was so good," Raymond's sister Sabrina told the crowd.
His sisters shared memories and photos. Among those in attendance were Orozco's coworkers. He worked at a group home for seniors with physical and developmental disabilities. He was going to start the fire academy in the fall.
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"His next career that he was trying to aim for was to become and EMT or firefighter. Those are all things that he did because he believed in service and helping others. He was so fearless. It's incredible," said Roy Orozco, Raymond's father.
Orozco's parents say San Jose police have not made an arrest. But that police have identified a person of interest. They want justice for their son.
His mother says there is so much pain in losing a son. But she is leaning in on what her son taught her.
"Even though I'm mad, I'm hurt, I'm sad, I have got so many emotions going on. But, I have to represent my son the way he lived, and that is through love and kindness and trying to help somebody," Ruiz said.
